Rasmuson Foundation Tier 1 Grants support small capital projects and one-time investments for eligible organizations actively working in Alaska. For healthcare applicants, the controlling guidance expressly identifies medical and scientific equipment and technology upgrades among eligible project types.
Funding: Eligible organizations may request up to $35,000. Rasmuson Foundation states that most awards are in the $5,000 to $20,000 range.
Deadline: There is no fixed deadline. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically announced within about 90 days after a complete application is submitted.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include established Alaska-based 501(c)(3) public charities that are not private foundations, local governments, and Tribal governments/entities actively serving Alaskans. Faith-based organizations may qualify where the project has broad community impact. Nonprofit applicants generally must have held qualifying 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and have at least one completed fiscal year of financials. Individuals are not eligible. Dr. Miltie, LLC is therefore not an eligible direct applicant; the realistic pathway is an eligible Alaska applicant purchasing allowable equipment or technology through a compliant project.
Eligible costs: Tier 1 supports one-time capital needs and assets that an organization can build, buy, fix, or create. Examples expressly include medical and scientific equipment, technology upgrades, construction/renovation, furnishings, vehicles, and other small capital investments. Project budgets may include shipping and freight, installation, contracted labor, and up to 15% of an award for indirect and administrative costs. Reimbursement for items already purchased is not eligible.
Important exclusions: The Foundation generally does not fund projects associated with core government functions such as roads, utilities and public safety, K-12 education, deficits or debt reduction, endowments, scholarships, fundraising events, or sponsorships. Alaska EMS or school applicants therefore should not assume that an otherwise eligible organization makes a public-safety or K-12 project eligible.
Match: No matching funding is required. Rasmuson Foundation notes that additional community support or other funding sources may strengthen an application but are not mandatory.
Application: Tier 1 uses a one-step online application through the Rasmuson Foundation grants portal. Applicants are asked to describe the organization and community need, provide financial information, explain project scope and timeline, and address maintenance/sustainability. Nonprofit applicants are also asked to document board financial giving; that expectation does not apply to local or Tribal governments.
Program contact: Rasmuson Foundation grants staff can be reached at grants@rasmuson.org, (907) 297-2700, or toll free in Alaska at (877) 366-2700. The Foundation also offers appointments with program staff for application questions.
Atlas fit: Atlas Opportunity Score 93/100. N9+ Fit Score 90/100 conditional. QC Healthcare / Dr. Miltie partner fit 80/100 conditional. The high conditional N9+ score reflects the Foundation’s explicit allowance for medical/scientific equipment and technology upgrades, but Atlas will not assume that any particular remote-exam device, telehealth configuration, service component, or vendor expense is automatically approved. A specific eligible Alaska applicant, demonstrated community need, compliant budget, and project-specific Foundation review remain necessary.
Source: Rasmuson Foundation Tier 1 Grants program page and online application portal.